Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - North Mississippi - (Page 49)

Continued from Page 8 CALL came into the hospital with a fragility fracture would frequently leave without knowing how to prevent future broken bones. “Fractures in older people can be serious,” Dey explains. “Sometimes it causes them to lose the ability to walk on their own. That’s why it is so important to avoid breaking a bone in the first place. One major step to preventing fractures is making sure all patients who have had a fragility fracture are taking either a prescription medication for osteoporosis or over-the-counter calcium and vitamin D supplements.” When Dey saw that more education was needed about osteoporosis, he pulled together a multidisciplinary team at NMMC to tackle the problem. The team, which includes nurses, an orthopedic surgeon, a physical therapist and a dietitian, among others, started a patient and physician education program. They also tapped Nurse Link, NMMC’s free telephone health information service staffed by registered nurses, to call discharged patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis. “The nurses ensure patients have a follow-up appointment with their primary care physician and check to see if they are on an appropriate medication or supplement,” Dey says. “If they aren’t, the nurse can help them make an appointment and remind them to talk about osteoporosis with their physician. We have seen a sixfold increase in the number of patients who are actively treating their osteoporosis.” Learn More About New Treatment Options Therapists at NMMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at Longtown Medical Park are certified in one of the most current standards of treatment for people with osteoporosis or osteopenia. The Sara Meeks Method focuses on reversing the patterns of postural change, placing importance on the skeletal system (bones), as well as preventing and managing the life changes that occur with osteoporosis. For more information on this service, which requires a doctor’s prescription, call 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375). To request a brochure, visit www.nmhs.net and click “Contact Us.” Jerry Castleberry Not Just for WomeN Osteoporosis is much more common in women, but men are susceptible as well. Jerry Castleberry of Corinth learned this the hard way about three years ago. Castleberry owns a farm equipment business, and one day he jumped off the bed of a trailer and jammed his back. “I was in the worst pain you can imagine. I couldn’t walk at all,” he says. He came to NMMC for testing, and was diagnosed with a broken vertebra and severe osteoporosis. He had a procedure that uses a balloon to raise the collapsed portion of the bone, which is then filled with a cement-like substance to strengthen the fractured bone. Three weeks later, Castleberry missed a doorstep at his home, which led to more broken bones and a second and a third procedure. He was then referred to Dey, who prescribed medication and exercise to build up the muscles in his back. “I’m in no pain now and I really feel like we’ve gotten this osteoporosis under control,” Castleberry says. “I’m retired, but I still work at the farm equipment business every day and stay busy. Thankfully, the broken bones aren’t slowing me down anymore.” SPRi Ng 2013 49 http://www.nmhs.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Brain Power
No Bones About It
You're the Star
Heart-to-Heart
Lighten Up!
Have No Fear
Work It!
What Are the Chances?
9 Symptoms Never to Ignore
When Allergies Attack
Virtual Health
Botox: A New Miracle Drug?
The Doctor Will See You Now
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - North Mississippi